Electrical connector with combined shield and latch

ABSTRACT

An electrical connector comprising a housing, an electrical contact in the housing, and a shield connected to the housing. The shield comprises a latching section with a latch, a deflection control section, and a first torsionally deflectable beam extending laterally from the latching section at a location between the latch and the deflection control section. The beam connects the latching section to the rest of the shield.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electrical connectors and, moreparticularly, to an electrical connector having a combined shield andlatch.

2. Brief Description of Earlier Developments

U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,711 discloses an electrical connector with a shieldjacket. U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,558 discloses an electrical connector havinga shield with integral latch arms. U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,002 discloses anelectrical connector with a movable outer hood and a snap-lock latch.Most cable assemblies that are used to interconnect units of electronicequipment are required to perform a number of functions in addition tothe normal function of providing an electrical pathway between twopieces of equipment. The cable connectors must be rugged and resistantto damage by normal use. They must be capable of being mechanicallysecured to the equipment so that they are not easily dislodged duringuse. The electromagnetic integrity of the electronic systems needs to bemaintained between the electronic systems so that undesirable electronicsignals are not emitted from the system. The multiple functions requiredof these connectors tends to make “external” cable assemblies high incost, since they typically require a number of component parts toperform the various mechanical and electrical functions such as signaltransmission, mechanical latching and electromagnetic shielding. All ofthe various pieces of the system must also fit together properly forreliable function. Therefore it is desirable to integrate some of thesefunctions to lower the number of components and their costs and toimprove reliability. This is particularly true in miniaturized systemswhere the requirements for precision and accuracy are great. There is aneed for an electrical connector having integration of shielding andlatching functions for a lower manufacturing cost and higher potentialreliability than prior art designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, anelectrical connector is provided comprising a housing, an electricalcontact connected to the housing, and an electromagnetic groundingshield connected to the housing. The shield comprises a latching sectionwith a latch, a deflection control section, and a first torsionallydeflectable beam extending laterally from the latching section at alocation between the latch and the deflection control section. The beanconnects the latching section to the rest of the shield.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, anelectrical connector is provided comprising a housing, at least oneelectrical contact connected to the housing, and an electromagneticgrounding shield. The housing comprises a base and a cover movablyconnected to the base. The cover comprises a latch deflector. Theelectromagnetic grounding shield is connected to the housing. The shieldcomprises a front latch and a deflection control section. The deflectioncontrol section is located beneath the latch deflector. The front latchand latch deflector are movable between up and down positions in reverseunison. The latch deflector is movable to depress the deflection controlsection which raises the latch.

In accordance with one method of the present invention, a method ofmanufacturing an electrical connector is provided comprising steps ofconnecting an electromagnetic shield to a base of a housing of theconnector, the shield comprising an integral latch and an integral latchdeflection control; and connecting a cover to the base over the shield,the cover comprising a latch deflector located at the latch deflectioncontrol, wherein the cover is movable relative to the base between afirst position and a second position, wherein when the cover is movedfrom the first position to the second position the latch deflector movesthe latch deflection control in an inward direction causing the latch todeflect in an outward direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention areexplained in the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a portion of a cable assembly having anelectrical connector incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 shownwith a mating electrical connector;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector as shown in FIG. 2with the cover moved to a rearward position; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the shield used in the connector shown inFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a partial perspective view of acable assembly 10 incorporating features of the present invention.Although the present invention will be described with reference to thesingle embodiment shown in the drawings, it should be understood thatthe present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms ofembodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elementsor materials could be used.

The cable assembly 10 generally comprises a cable 12 and an electricalconnector 14 connected to one end of the cable 12. In alternateembodiments the connector 14 could be provided separate from the cable12. The opposite end of the cable 12 could be connected to anotherelectrical connector (not shown) or connected directly to an electroniccomponent. The cable 12 preferably comprises a plurality of electricalconductors 16 with individual insulative covers 18 and a main commoncover 20. However, any suitable type of cable could be provided. Thecable 12 could also include any suitable number or type of conductors16. Further, cable 12 could include, for example, conductive braiding(not shown) to which a suitable portion of connector 14 (e.g.:conductive base 28 or shield 26) connects using known techniques.

Referring also to FIG. 2, the connector 14 generally comprises a housing22, a contact sub-assembly 24, and an electromagnetic grounding shield26. The housing 22 generally comprises a base 28 and a cover 30. Thebase 28 is preferably comprised of a suitable conductive material suchas metal or plastic with a metalized surface. In a preferred embodimentthe base 28 has a general “U” shaped profile with an open top. The cover30 is preferably comprised of an insulative material such as moldedplastic, but any suitable material could be used. The cover 30 is alsopreferably provided with a general “U” shaped profile, but with an openbottom. The side walls 32 of the cover extend along the extension sideof the side walls 34 of the base 28 and connect to the cover and base toeach other. The cover 30 is slidingly connected to the base 28 between aforward position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a rearward position as shownin FIG. 3 for latching/unlatching purposes. The underside 36 of the topsection 38 of the cover 30 includes a protrusion 40. The protrusion 40projects inwardly and forms a latch deflector. The housing 22, formed bythe base 28 and cover 30, forms an enclosure for the contactsub-assembly 24 and the shield 26. The base 28 and cover 30 define areceiving area 42 therebetween that extends from a front end 44 forreceiving a portion of a mating electrical connector 46. The front endof the contact sub-assembly 24 extends into the receiving area 42. Inalternate embodiments any suitable type of housing could be provided andmay comprise more components than merely the base and cover mentionedabove. In addition, any suitable type of base and cover could be used.The housing could also be a one-piece member.

The contact sub-assembly 24 generally comprises an insert 48 and aplurality of electrical contacts 50 mounted to the insert 48. The insert48 preferably includes a center contact support 52 projecting from abase 54. Insert 48 is preferably unitary and comprised of dielectricmaterial, such as molded plastic. However, any suitable insert could beprovided. The contacts 50 are preferably comprised of a suitableconductive material such as a copper alloy which has been stamped andformed from a sheet into the individual contacts 50. The contacts 50 arepreferably inserted through openings in insert 48 and extend along thecenter contact support 52. The ends of the conductors 16 are attached tothe opposite ends of respective ones of the contacts 50 extending fromthe other side of insert 48, such as by soldering, welding or any othersuitable attachment technique. The base 54 of the insert 48 can, forexample, fixedly attach to the base 28 of the housing 22 with rail 56located in groove 58. However, other attachment methods, such aslatches, could be used. In addition, insert 48 could be overmolded aboutcontacts 50.

Referring also to FIG. 4, a top plan view of the shield 26 is shown. Theshield 26 is preferably one-piece and made from a suitable sheet ofconductive material which has been stamped and formed into the shapeshown. However, in an alternate embodiment the shield could be comprisedof multiple pieces, or any suitable type of shield could be provided.The shield 26 generally comprises a generally movable latching section60 and a substantially stationary section 62. The latching section 60generally comprises a latch 64 and a deflection control section 66. Theshield 26 also has connecting sections 68 which connect the latchingsection 60 to the substantially stationary section 62. The latch 64 isformed by removing material of the shield from areas 65, such as duringstamping. The latch 64 generally comprises a latch hole 70 through theshield 26. The latch 64 is located in the front of the shield andextends in a forward general cantilevered fashion from the area wherethe connecting sections 68 are connected to the latching section 60.Preferably, the front edge 72 of the latch 64 is sloped upward toprovide a lead-in surface. The deflection control section 66 alsoextends in a general cantilevered fashion from the area where theconnecting sections 68 are connected to the latching section 60, but ina rearward direction; generally opposite to the direction of the latch64. The deflection control section 66 is formed by removing material ofthe shield from area 67, such as during stamping. As seen best in FIG.2, the rear section 76 of deflection control section 66 also extendsupwardly. A deformation 74 stamped into shield 26 extends betweenlatching section 60 and deflection control section 66. The deformation74 functions as a stiffener between the latch 64 and the deflectioncontrol section 66. The substantially stationary section 62 has sides78. The sides 78 can extend downwardly and may latch onto the side walls34 of the base 28. The shield 26 can, thus, make an electricalconnection with the base 28 to substantially surround the contactsub-assembly 24 and receiving area 42 with an electromagnetic shield.The bottom side of the shield 26, at the connecting sections 68, restagainst the top side of the mounting support 54 of the contactsub-assembly frame 48.

With the cover 30 in the forward position shown in FIG. 2, the latch 64is in a down latching position and the deflection control section 66 isin an up position. The inward protrusion 40 from the cover 30 is locatedin front of the ramp 77 leading up to the elevated rear section 76 ofthe deflection control section 66. This allows latch 64 to moveresiliently or to deflect upwardly as the mating connector 46 isinserted into the receiving area 42.

The mating connector 46 generally comprises a housing 80 and electricalcontacts 82. The housing 80 includes a latch structure 84 on its topside. The latch structure 84 includes a front ramp surface 86 and a rearlatch surface 88. The housing 80 also forms a receiving area 90 with thecontacts 82 for receiving the front portion 25 of the contactsub-assembly 24. When the mating connector 46 is inserted into thereceiving area 42, the contacts 82 make electrical connection with thecontacts 50. The latch structure 84 also makes a latching engagementwith the latch 64. The front ramp surface 86 wedges the latch 64 upwarduntil the latch structure 84 comes into registry with the hole 70. Theconnecting sections 68 can resiliently twist or torsionally deflectduring this process to allow latch 64 to ride over latch structure 84.Once engaging surface 88, the latch 64 then resides such that thesurfaces 71, 88 prevent unintentional withdrawal or disconnection of thetwo connectors 14, 46 from each other.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the connector 14 is shown with the cover 30moved to its rearward position. The cover 30 is moved by the user inorder to disengage the latching engagement of the two latches 64, 84which allows disconnection of the two connectors 14, 46 from each other.As the cover 30 is moved rearward, the cover 30 slides along the sidewalls 34 of the base 28. The substantially stationary section 62 doesnot move with the cover 30. However, the latch deflector 40 comes intocontact with the ramp 77 as the cover 30 moves rearward. As the latchdeflector 40 continues its rearward travel along the ramp 77 towards theelevated rear section 76, the deflection control section 66 is deflectedor pushed inwardly as indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3. Because thelatching section 60 is connected to the substantially stationary section62 by the connecting sections 68, and because of the stiffener 74, theinward movement of the deflection control section 66 causes theconnecting sections 68 to resiliently deflect. More specifically, theconnecting sections 68 twist or torsionally deflect. Since connectingsections 68 rest on the top of the contact sub-assembly frame 48, theproper deflection of latch 64 is ensured. As the deflection controlsection 66 is deflected downwardly, and because of the resultanttwisting of the connecting sections 68, the latching section 60essentially pivots or rotates relative to the substantially stationarysection 62 at the connecting sections 68. This rotation causes the latch64, located at the front of the latching section 60, to be moved orrotated upward as indicated by arrow B. This upward movement of thelatch 64 causes the hole 70 and its latch surface 71 to move above thelatch 84. This prevents the two latch surfaces 71, 88 from engaging eachother and allows the two connectors 14, 46 to be disconnected from eachother. When the cover 30 is returned back to its forward position, thelatch deflector 40 moves off the elevated section 76 and off the ramp77, and the connecting sections 68 resiliently return to their straightshapes. This causes the latching section 60 to rotate in directionsreverse to A and B to thereby return the latching section 60 to theposition shown in FIG. 2. The connector 14 can, thus, be connected tothe connector 46 again.

In an alternate embodiment the shield 26 could have only one connectingsection 68 or more than two connecting sections. In another alternateembodiment the connector 14 could have a stationary cover with apush-button type of deflection control section. The present invention isan integrated electromagnetic shield and latch system, preferably for aminiaturized cable connector. The present invention provides anintegration of a shielding function and a latching function at asignificantly lower cost and higher potential reliability than aconventional design. The cable connector in one embodiment of thisdesign concept has three or four basic components. The connector base isa “U”” shaped die cast metal or metallized plastic frame. This frame isthe basic structural element of the connector body. The contact wafer orcontact frame support is the second element. In the preferred case thecontact wafer is a molded wafer with mating contacts on both sides ofthe wafer, with a front portion being mating contacts and the rearportion being contacts for metallurgical bonding conductors of the cableto the contacts. This mates with the connector frame and registered bymeans of grooves in the frame and a matching feature on the wafer. Thethird element is the shield/latch plate. This is preferably a stampedpart. It has bent down side walls and a latch configuration blanked andformed into the top surface. This blanked and formed piece is thenpressed into place in suitable grooves in the cable connector frame.Barbs or latches may secure it in place, and this shield member couldalso secure the contact wafer in the connector frame. The stamped andformed plate functions to complete the electromagnetic shield of theconnector.

When the connector is mated with its corresponding receptacle, theshield contacts either a suitable conductive shield on the correspondingreceptacle connector or a metallized surface of the receptacle. Thismaintains the continuity of the electromagnetic shield through theconnector interface. Around the mid-line of the shield is the latchingmember. Again, when the cable connector is mated with the correspondingreceptacle, this member deflects over a projection on the externalsurface of the receptacle and consequently latches the connector inplace. It also provides a tactile indication that the connector is fullyinserted as well as providing additional shielding contact between thetwo connector bodies. The latch can be disengaged in a number of ways.Minimally, there can be a member rearward of the latching memberattached to the rest of the sheet metal by two beams capable oftorsional deflection. As the latching member ride s up over the latchbump, these beams rotate. When rearward member is depressed downward thereverse process occurs where the latching member is elevated. In thepreferred design this rearward member is depressed by a cam feature thatis part of an external cover for the connector. In this case, in orderto remove the connector from the system, the cover is grasped either bythe side or by the top and bottom of the connector and pulled toward thecable portion of the connector. The cam on the interior or the slidingcover then depresses the rearward member and disengages the latch. Thecover is then returned to the previous position by the return of therearward member to its original position. Alternatively, a button-likearrangement can be molded into the cover and the disengagement can beaccomplished by depressing the button.

In miniaturized systems this latching arrangement has particularfunctional advantages, since in small portable equipment it is difficultto design in enough space to make it easy to activate more conventionaltypes of latching systems. In this case, only the larger exterior bodyof the connector, which is usually accessible, needs to be activated,which allows for denser packaging of the I/O connectors.

As described above, since base 28 is made from a conductive material,shield 26 need only reside generally above contacts 50. If, however,base 28 was made from an insulative material, then shield 26 shouldpreferably surround contacts 50.

In summary, this design integrates the shielding, shield interconnectionand latching function into a single component of the cable assembly,potentially reducing cost and improving reliability. This design allowsthe latch to be actuated in a number of ways including a sliding cover,which can minimize the packaging space required for the system.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is onlyillustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modificationscan be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from theinvention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical connector comprising: a housing; anelectrical contact disposed in the housing; and a shield connected tothe housing, the shield comprising a latching section, a deflectioncontrol section, and a first torsionally deflectable beam extendinglaterally from the latching section at a location between the latch andthe deflection control section and connecting the latching section withthe rest of the shield, wherein the shield is stamped and formed from asheet of conductive material.
 2. An electrical connector comprising: ahousing; an electrical contact disposed in the housing; and a shieldconnected to the housing, the shield comprising a latching section, adeflection control section, and a first torsionally deflectable beamextending laterally from the latching section at a location between thelatch and the deflection control section and connecting the latchingsection with the rest of the shield, wherein the shield comprises asecond torsionally deflectable beam extending laterally from thelatching section on an opposite side of the latching section from thefirst torsionally deflectable beam.
 3. A connector as in claim 2 whereinthe latch and the deflection control section extend from the twotorsionally deflectable beams in generally cantilever fashion in reversedirections.
 4. An electrical connector comprising: a housing; anelectrical contact disposed in the housing; and a shield connected tothe housing, the shield comprising a latching section, a deflectioncontrol section, and a first torsionally deflectable beam extendinglaterally from the latching section at a location between the latch andthe deflection control section and connecting the latching section withthe rest of the shield, wherein the latch and the deflection controlsection are connected to the rest of the shield by the first beam suchthat the latching section and the deflection control section are movablerelative to each other in reverse unison with the first beam torsionallydeflecting.
 5. An electrical connector comprising: a housing; anelectrical contact disposed in the housing; and a shield connected tothe housing, the shield comprising a latching section, a deflectioncontrol section, and a first torsionally deflectable beam extendinglaterally from the latching section at a location between the latch andthe deflection control section and connecting the latching section withthe rest of the shield, wherein the housing comprises a base and a covermovably mounted to the base.
 6. A connector as in claim 5 wherein thecover comprises an inwardly projecting latch deflector for contactingthe deflection control section and moving the deflection control sectionin an inward direction.
 7. A connector as in claim 5 wherein the coveris slidingly connected to the base between a first position and a secondposition.
 8. An electrical connector comprising: a housing, having abase; an electrical contact disposed in the housing; a shield connectedto the housing, the shield comprising a latching section, a deflectioncontrol section, and a first torsionally deflectable beam extendinglaterally from the latching section at a location between the latch andthe deflection control section and connecting the latching section withthe rest of the shield; and a contact sub-assembly connected to thebase, the contact sub-assembly comprising an insert made from adielectric material and the electrical contact mounted to the insert. 9.An electrical connector comprising: a housing comprising a base and acover movably connected to the base, the cover comprising a latchdeflector; at least one electrical contact disposed in the housing; anda shield connected to the housing, the shield comprising a latch and adeflection control section, the deflection control section adjacent thelatch deflector, and the latch and latch deflector being movable inreverse unison, wherein the latch deflector is movable to engage thedeflection control section which actuates the latch, and wherein theshield is stamped and formed from a conductive sheet, and the latch isintegrally formed with the deflection control section.
 10. An electricalconnector comprising: a housing comprising a base and a cover movablyconnected to the base, the cover comprising a latch deflector; at leastone electrical contact disposed in the housing; and a shield connectedto the housing, the shield comprising a latch and a deflection controlsection, the deflection control section adjacent the latch deflector,and the latch and latch deflector being movable in reverse unison,wherein the latch deflector is movable to engage the deflection controlsection which actuates the latch, and wherein the shield comprises afirst laterally extending torsionally twistable beam extending from anarea between the latch and the deflection control section.
 11. Anelectrical connector as in claim 10 wherein the shield further comprisesa second laterally extending torsionally twistable beam extending fromthe area between the latch and the deflection control section in anopposite direction relative to the first beam.
 12. An electricalconnector comprising: a housing comprising a base and a cover movablyconnected to the base, the cover comprising a latch deflector; at leastone electrical contact disposed in the housing; and a shield connectedto the housing, the shield comprising a latch and a deflection controlsection, the deflection control section adjacent the latch deflector,and the latch and latch deflector being movable in reverse unison,wherein the latch deflector is movable to engage the deflection controlsection which actuates the latch, and wherein the latch and thedeflection control section extend from each other in opposite directionsin general cantilever fashion.
 13. An electrical connector comprising: ahousing comprising a base and a cover movably connected to the base, thecover comprising a latch deflector; at least one electrical contactdisposed in the housing; and a shield connected to the housing, theshield comprising a latch and a deflection control section, thedeflection control section adjacent the latch deflector, and the latchand latch deflector being movable in reverse unison, wherein the latchdeflector is movable to engage the deflection control section whichactuates the latch, and wherein the latch deflector comprises aprotrusion on an underside surface of the cover.
 14. An electricalconnector comprising: a housing comprising a base and a cover movablyconnected to the base, the cover comprising a latch deflector; at leastone electrical contact disposed in the housing; and a shield connectedto the housing, the shield comprising a latch and a deflection controlsection, the deflection control section adjacent the latch deflector,and the latch and latch deflector being movable in reverse unison,wherein the latch deflector is movable to engage the deflection controlsection which actuates the latch, and wherein the cover comprises ageneral cross-sectional “U” shape.
 15. An electrical connectorcomprising: a housing comprising a base and a cover movably connected tothe base, the cover comprising a latch deflector; at least oneelectrical contact disposed in the housing; and a shield connected tothe housing, the shield comprising a latch and a deflection controlsection, the deflection control section adjacent the latch deflector,and the latch and latch deflector being movable in reverse unison,wherein the latch deflector is movable to engage the deflection controlsection which actuates the latch, and wherein the shield comprises ageneral “U” shaped profile.
 16. An electrical connector comprising: ahousing comprising a base and a cover movably connected to the base, thecover comprising a latch deflector; at least one electrical contactdisposed in the housing; and a shield connected to the housing, theshield comprising a latch and a deflection control section, thedeflection control section adjacent the latch deflector, and the latchand latch deflector being movable in reverse unison, wherein the latchdeflector is movable to engage the deflection control section whichactuates the latch, and wherein the cover is slidingly connected to thebase between a forward position and a rearward position.
 17. Anelectrical connector comprising: a housing comprising a base and a covermovably connected to the base, the cover comprising a latch deflector;at least one electrical contact disposed in the housing; and a shieldconnected to the housing, the shield comprising a latch and a deflectioncontrol section, the deflection control section adjacent the latchdeflector, and the latch and latch deflector being movable in reverseunison, wherein the latch deflector is movable to engage the deflectioncontrol section which actuates the latch, and wherein the connector ispart of a cable assembly.
 18. A method of manufacturing an electricalconnector comprising steps of: connecting an electromagnetic shield to ahousing of the connector the housing having a base, the shieldcomprising an integral latch and an integral latch deflection control;and connecting a cover to the base over the shield, the cover comprisinga latch deflector located adjacent the latch deflection control, whereinthe cover is movable relative to the base between a first position and asecond position, wherein, when the cover is moved from the firstposition to the second position, the latch deflector moves the latchdeflection control in a direction causing the latch to deflect in agenerally opposite direction, and wherein the step of connecting thecover comprises the cover being slidingly connected to the base betweena forward position and a rearward position.